John Gay

John Gay (1688 - 1732) was an English poet, born at Barnstaple the same year as Pope, a friend of his, to whom he dedicated his "Rural Sports". He was the author of a series of "Fables" and the "Beggar's Opera," a piece which was received with great enthusiasm, and had a run of 63 nights, but which gave offence at Court, though it brought him the patronage of the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry, with whom he went to reside, and tinder whose roof he died. He was buried in Westminster.

Wisdom & Quotes

• Do you think your mother and I should have lived comfortably so long together if ever we had been married?

- The Beggar's Opera

• Youth's the season made for joys,

Love is then our duty.
- The Beggar's Opera

• Life is a jest; and all things show it,

I thought so once; but now I know it.
- My Own Epitaph

• She who has never loved has never lived.

- Captives

• Fair words cost nothing.

- The Mohocks

Charles de Montesquieu